Force feed stoker



Nov. 8, 1932. M. l.. wENRlcl-l FORCE FEED STOKER Fi1ed`Feb. '26. 1929INVENTOR BYarmlLL/Znfic A TTORNE Y Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES.PATENT- fOFP-IC MARTIN L.' WENRICH, OF ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORT0 THE STANDARD sToxER COMPANY, INCORPORATED, A ooRPoRATIoN oF DELAWAREFORCE FEED sToKER Application led February 26,; 1929. `Serial No.342,864.-

This invention relates to stokers, and more Y particularly to stokermechanism for locomotives and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of new and improvedstoker mechanism for delivering fuel through a plurality of openings inthe back head of ya locomotive without the use of elevating mechanismwithin the elevator tubes or casings.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedlocomotive stoker having a plurality of diverging elevator conduits soarranged that the fuel may be forced upward therethrough by themechanism that transfers the fuel from the tender.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will appearfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing7 in which Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a portion of alocomotive showing the fuel elevator casings in position thereon;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

' Fig. 3 is a section on broken' line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

On the drawing, the reference character 10 designates the backhead of alocomotive; 11 the rebox, 12 the fire door opening and 18 the cab flooror deck, all of which are of the usual or any approved construction.

In the construction of stokers, it is desirable that the number ofmoving parts be reduced to a minimum and the Weight of the device keptas low as is consistent with etlicient service. V

Stoker mechanism is provided for conveying fuel from the tender andsupplying the same to the firebox of the locomotive. As usuallyconstructed this mechanism comprises a screw conveyor and one or morescrew elevators. The present invention contemplates the elimination ofthe elevator screws andthe shortening of the elevator casings therebynot only greatly reducing the weight of that part of the stoker mountedon the locomotive, but dispensing with all moving parts within theelevator casings.

In the .form of the device selected to illustrate one embodiment of theinvention, two elevator casings are employed and fuel is Vbolt 26,tapped in the casing 18, is adapted to pivotallyconnected by a ball andsocket joint connection 20 which permits a relative angular andtelescopic movement between the elevator and conveyer casings in theusual manner. Each of the upper ends ofthe elevator casings is providedwith a distributor tube 19 extending through an 'opening 21 .in thebackhead 10 ofthe locomotive at the side of the fire door opening 12.v

Iny order that the fuel may be forced upward through the `elevatorcasings 16 and 17 without an expenditure of too much power, thesecasings are made comparatively short, the openings 2 in the baclrheadbeing preferably located beflow the plane of the upper edge of the redoor opening, and the bends in the same being on broad` curves.

`Suitable means are provided for kproperly ,dividing'the stream Vof fuelin. order that the required proportion may enter each lof the casings 16and 17. As shown, a divider kor vane 22 is pivoted at its front edge inthe chamber 18;v The pivot 23 is extended above the casing and isprovided with an arm 24 having an arcuate slot 25 in which a stud orextend. When it is desired to adjust the `divider the bolt 26 isloosened, the proper .adjustment of the divider made, .and the bolt 26`agenti-1 tightened for holding the parts in adjustedv position. j,

In the operation of the device, the fuel from the tender is moved alongthe conveyer casing and forced upwardly through the elevator casings bythe conveyer screw 15. 'The fuel forced upward through the elevatorcasings passes into the distributor tube in front of the steam jets 27which project the fuel into the Firebox 11.

It will be understood that various changes may be resorted to in theform, size, construc- 100 2 'gv i 1,886,771

tion, composition and arrangement of the several parts, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not Wishto limit myself strictly to the structure herein set forth.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination, a locomotive backhead provided with a iredoor openingand having two openings through the backhead spaced Y vaparthorizontally at points below the upper' portion of the redoor opening, ahorizontally disposed conveyer casing, a, .conveyer screw therein andterminating near the forward end of said casing, a chamber intowhich vsaid horizontal casing opens at its forward end and to which it is`connected, and a pair of short branch casings connected at their lowerends with said chamber and diverging upward and forward, the upper endsof said f branch casings curving forward and having extensionsprojecting respectively through said two openings in the backwall andthe lower ends of said branch casings curving rearwardly to said chamberto form a gradually, curving continuation thereof, said screwconstituting the sole means for advancing fuel through the namedcasings.

2. In combination, aY locomotive backliead provided with a firedooropening and having two openings through the backhead spaced aparthorizontally at points below the upper portion of the firedoor opening,a horizontal ly disposed conveyer casing, a conveyer screw therein andterminating near the forward end of said casing., a chamber into whichsaid horizontal casing opens at its forward end and to which it isconnected, a pair of short branch casings connected at their lower endswith said chamber and diverging upward and 40 forward, the upper ends ofsaid'branch casings curved forward and having extensions projectingrespectively through said two openings inthe backwall and the lower endsof said branch casings curving rearwardly to said chamber to form agradually curving continuation thereof, said Screw constituting the solemeans for advancing fuel through the named casings, and a guide vanearranged in said chamber in the general horizontal plane of saidconveyer casing and settable at will to vary the ratio between thequantities of fuel delivered tothe upwardly extending branch casings.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

MARTIN L. WENRICII

